Data Steward II

Merck & Co.; Newton (NJ); On-site; USD 67,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Generous PTO package

Job summary

Thorlabs seeks a Data Steward to improve the quality and usability of enterprise data across various platforms. The role requires defining business terms, establishing data quality rules, and collaborating with various teams. Successful candidates will have extensive experience in data management and strong communication skills.

This position is based in Newton, NJ, and offers a salary range of $67,000–$94,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data stewardship, governance, or management.
• Hands-on SQL experience for tracing data lineage.
• Experience with Azure data platforms and Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain business glossary and critical data elements.
• Establish data quality rules and monitor dashboards.
• Present stewardship health metrics to leadership.

Skills

Data stewardship

SQL

Azure data platforms

Power BI

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems or related field

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Azure DevOps

Job description

Thorlabs is pleased to play a role in advancing science through the components, instruments, and systems we design and manufacture. We believe that science and innovation have great potential to improve the world around us and are committed to advancing photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities. Via educational outreach and more sustainable business practices, we continuously invest in a brighter future. We recognize that each of our employees is a unique individual with the ability to contribute to our success and seek to find great people who will thrive in our fun, fast-paced culture.

The Data Steward improves the trust, quality, and usability of enterprise data across Thorlabs’ analytics ecosystem, including Dynamics 365, Azure Synapse, ADLS, and Power BI. This role is responsible for defining and maintaining business terms and critical data elements, documenting data lineage, establishing and monitoring data quality rules, and partnering with Data Engineers, Data Analysts, and business subject‑matter experts to remediate issues and standardize definitions.

The Data Steward drives consistent understanding of KPIs and calculations, supports change governance, and communicates impacts to stakeholders so data‑driven decisions can be made with confidence. Success in this role requires strong communication, organization, and collaboration across the Enterprise Data Management team and business partners.

Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

Essential Job Functions

• Define and maintain business glossary entries and critical data elements (CDEs) for prioritized domains such as Purchasing, Production, Sales, Inventory, Finance, Quality, etc.
• Establish data quality rules (completeness, validity, uniqueness, timeliness), coordinate technical implementation, monitor dashboards, and drive root‑cause analysis and remediation with data owners.
• Maintain end‑to‑end data lineage and metadata from D365 through Synapse (serverless/dedicated) and into Power BI datasets and reports, using tools such as Microsoft Purview.
• Operate the data issue intake and triage process through Azure DevOps; define priorities, SLAs, track remediation progress, and validate fixes.
• Review changes to schemas, transformations, and business logic; assess downstream impacts; update definitions; and publish change communications to stakeholders.
• Coordinate dataset certification and endorsement processes; assist with sensitivity labelling and data protection requirements in partnership with IT/InfoSec.
• Support user acceptance testing for models and reports; develop user documentation, data guides, and training materials to support adoption.
• Compile and present stewardship health metrics – data quality trends, issue MTTR, risks, and resolved items – to leadership.

Additional Responsibilities

• Meeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.
• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.
• The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Physical Activities

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This may include lifting files, opening cabinets, bending, or standing as necessary.

Requirements

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in data stewardship, data governance, data management, or closely related analytics roles.
• Hands‑on SQL experience for tracing data lineage and validating business rules.
• Practical experience with Azure data platforms (Azure Synapse, ADLS) and Power BI (datasets, lineage, endorsement workflows).
• Demonstrated ability to establish glossaries and definitions and to manage structured data quality and issue remediation processes with business stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder‑engagement skills across technical and non‑technical audiences.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Computer Science, Analytics, or a related field.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations data structures or Synapse Link.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview or similar data cataloging tools.
• Experience using Azure DevOps for backlog and issue management and comfort working within Git‑based change workflows.
• Strong documentation, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Pay range for this position is $67,000–$94,000 annually depending on experience.

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at‑will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Benefits

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.